I am in the market for a car in the Rs 10-12 lakh segment. Five people need to travel in comfort and we need all the safety features like airbags and ABS. What would you buy if you were in my position?
Jairam Padeckal, via email
If we had to buy a vehicle that can seat five and has all the safety features then it would be the Toyota Innova. Sure, it may be labelled a taxi, but there are not many machines out there that can beat the trusty Toyota when it comes to space, safety features and diesel economy. If you are still worried about the size of the car and its image, then we suggest you test drive the Honda Civic — it fits well within your budget though the fifth passenger is a squeeze.
Asta, la vista!
I intend to buy a diesel hatchback and have shortlisted the Fiat Punto, Hyundai i20, Maruti Suzuki Ritz and the Swift. The Fabia is out of the question as I have heard reports about Skoda’s poor service. The Honda Jazz is also in the options list though it is petrol-powered. The new hatchback will be our second car and I am looking for comfort, space and good ride quality, especially on our famous potholed roads because my parents don't want to visit an Ayurveda centre with spine problems! Handling is not much of a concern as we hardly get to attack corners in Mumbai traffic. But yes, a good driving position and ergonomics is a must since the car may do occasional long runs to Goa and Kochi. We are well used to the Toyota Innova and would prefer its characteristics in the above-mentioned cars. Build quality and safety should not be sidelined. What is your opinion on extending the list to the Honda City or the Hyundai Verna CRDi? The tech specs of the i20 Asta is quite tempting... Please opine!
Rubin Antony, Mumbai
We think the i20 CRDi makes maximum sense for you. It’s quite driveable on city roads and very peppy when the roads clear up. It's also quite frugal when it comes to fuel consumption. Hyundai’s new cars are built really well, so you will be happy with the quality that’s gone into the car and the way it’s been put together. Plus of course it comes with excellent safety kit. And the i20 also offers decent space for rear passengers and has a capacious boot too — which the Ritz and the Swift don’t offer. Ride quality is quite good and it can take on our roads well. We would have recommended the Jazz, but its ride quality is not as good as the i20’s. And why pay more for a three-box car when a hatch like the i20 meets your needs?
Decade-nce
I have been driving the Maruti 800 and the Zen over the last 20 years. I want to buy a new value-for-money petrol car which I will retain for the next 10 years. I drive about 30 km daily in the city. Which car do you recommend?
U K Pan, via email
Since you have not given an idea of what your budget is, there are several cars that we can recommend. If you are on a tight budget, the Chevrolet Spark is great value for money and is a good city car. If you want something newer and compact, the Hyundai i10 is a car that will serve you well for the next 10 years. The other option is the Maruti Suzuki Ritz which also offers compelling value. Since you seem to be happy with Maruti Suzukis, why don’t you check out the Ritz?
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